SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance is powered by a small and passionate team of experts in policy, advocacy and LGBTIQA+ community.
Varo (they/them), Chief Executive Officer
Varo is a queer non-binary health and social policy leader who is passionate about creating a healthy, safe and inclusive South Australia.
They commenced as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance in October 2024.
Varo has extensive experience leading complex policy reforms in health and human services, including the implementation of voluntary assisted dying in South Australia which won the 2023 Premier’s Award for Excellence in Health.
They are a member of the South Australian Suicide Prevention Council, the State LGBTIQA+ Minister’s Advisory Council and the national TransEquality initiative. In 2021 they were named Out For Australia’s Changemaker of the Year.
Varo holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy, Bachelor of International Studies (Hons) and a Bachelor of Laws.
Edwin Kemp Attrill (he/him), Project Officer - Rainbow Council Network
Edwin Kemp Attrill (he/him) is a South Australian facilitator, community development practitioner, and project officer with a background in diversity, inclusion, and creative engagement.
He has previously worked as a presenter for the History Trust of South Australia, delivering training to state government agencies on the history of colonisation and its impacts on First Nations communities, and as the Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the City of Salisbury.
For over a decade, Edwin worked in the arts industry as a theatre director, producer, and community cultural development practitioner. He was the founder and Artistic Director of ActNow Theatre, Artistic Director of the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild, and Creative Director of the arts videography company Replay Creative.
Edwin is passionate about supporting LGBTIQA+ communities. He established the Queer Youth Theatre program at ActNow Theatre, co-founded the Feast Queer Youth Drop-In, and has directed multiple arts projects engaging LGBTIQA+ artists and communities—including Speak Out, an anti-homophobia schools workshop, and Virtual Intimacy, an interactive performance exploring the intersections of sexuality and technology.
Katie Szabo (she/ her), Project Lead- LGBTIQA+ Youth Physical Activity Co-Design
Katie Szabo (she/her) is a queer youth and community worker with extensive experience across schools, community services and child protection. She is passionate about supporting LGBTIQA+ young people, which has seen her regularly working at the Adelaide Minus18 Queer Youth Formal.
Katie brings a strong commitment to community leadership, currently serving as a Board Member of the Queer Society and Secretary of her soccer club. Her previous governance roles include Chair of the Roxby Downs Arts and Culture Forum and Board Member of the Roxby Downs Community Board. She has also volunteered as a Scout Leader and youth soccer coach.
Having lived in Adelaide for over a decade — with time spent in regional South Australia — Katie developed an understanding of the unique challenges faced by LGBTIQA+ people outside of metropolitan areas. She brings this lived experience and her passion for regional community advocacy to her role at SARAA.
Before her work in the community sector, Katie worked in the arts industry as a costume maker and supervisor on large-scale stage productions.
Katie holds a Graduate Certificate in Human Services Managaement and a Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention and a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Costume).
Our Board
The SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance Board leads efforts to advance equality, inclusion, and safety for LGBTIQA+ communities across South Australia through advocacy, representation, and systemic change.
Our Board consists of up to 12 people elected by our members. One position is reserved for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
Lucy Solonsch (she/they), Chair
Lucy is a proudly trans, disabled person with close to 10 years of experience working in and creating systems change across LGBTQIA+ health, mental health and disability advocacy.
They sit on multiple national and state level advisory groups engaging with government and peak bodies to represent LGBTIQA+ South Australians. Lucy is honoured to have the opportunity to use her professional experience, lived experience, and authentic connection to diverse lived experience movements to support SARAA's board and inform our governance and strategy.
Edison Harris (he/him), Secretary
Ed is a queer person with a passion for LGBTQIA+ advocacy approached through an intersectional lens.
In his capacity as a SARAA Board member, Edison draws from his advocacy and governance experience, both in Australia and internationally.
Edison finds great fulfilment in connecting with the community, sharing his story, and creating space for marginalised voices.
Tish Naughton (she/her), Treasurer
Tish is an experienced CEO and strategic leader with more than 12 years of leadership across finance, retail, small business, franchises, and the non-profit sector. She currently leads Feast Festival, where her work focuses on strategic growth, financial sustainability, and building inclusive spaces that bring communities together.
As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community who grew up in the Adelaide Hills, Tish is passionate about connection, visibility, and creating structures that support community wellbeing. She brings both financial expertise and a deep personal commitment to advancing equality and inclusion across South Australia.
Kelly Treloar (she/her)
Kelly is a queer disabled advocate with over 20 years of experience in both volunteer and professional roles. She has worked extensively in education and systemic advocacy, including managing the Safe Schools program in South Australia, where she influenced legislation and policy, developed and implemented training for educators on inclusive practices for LGBTIQA+ students, and created national gender and sexuality diversity inclusion policies for Scouts Australia.
In recent years, Kelly has focused on leading teams and developing frameworks for systemic advocacy for First Nations people with disability. Her work reflects her passion for equity and inclusion and her commitment to driving meaningful change for marginalized communities.
Beyond advocacy, Kelly enjoys politics, bird watching, spending time with her two adult children, and exploring music long after it becomes popular. She shares her home with her family and a couple of cats.
Kelly brings extensive experience in leadership, governance, government liaison, strategic development, and project planning to her role and is eager to support SARAA's advocacy efforts. She is deeply inspired by SARAA's impact and is committed to making South Australia a safer and more inclusive place for LGBTIQA+ communities.
Kirsty Degabriele (they/them)
Kirsty is a non-binary Senior Mental Health Accredited Social Worker with over 20 years’ experience across government and non-government sectors spanning youth mental health, alcohol and other drugs, sexual health, homelessness and education.
As the Mental Health Lead- Youth Services at Adelaide Primary Health Network, they oversee commissioning, contract management, capacity building and system improvement initiatives across headspace Centres, Youth Enhanced Services and Early Psychosis Youth Services. Their work champions evidence-based, inclusive, innovative and youth-led approaches across the youth mental health system.
Kirsty brings extensive governance and leadership experience through leading and co-designing LGBTIQA+ services in South Australia, including Gender Connect Country SA and the Gender Wellbeing Service at SHINE SA, and the LGBTIQA+ Peer Work Community of Practice via Adelaide PHN.
As a SARAA Board Member, they contribute strategic, governance and sector expertise to strengthen LGBTIQA+ representation and advance equality and wellbeing across South Australia.
Lysha Brinsley (they/them)
Lysha lives in rural South Australia and brings extensive experience in child protection, youth mentoring, youth homelessness and mental health. Currently working as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion professional, Lysha champions the rights of marginalised people in rural, regional and remote communities to advocate for systemic change and inclusive practices.
As a disabled, non-binary parent in a queer relationship and cominh from a diverse and queer family, Lysha draws on lived experience to inform policy and strengthen representation for diverse voices. Lysha is deeply committed to creating equitable opportunities and improving mental health outcomes for communities often overlooked
Mariam Owrang (she/they)
Mariam is a multicultural trans woman policy officer. Her work has covered the subject areas of LGBTIQA+ inclusion, women’s equality and domestic, family and sexual violence.
Currently, Mariam works for the South Australian Office for Women in domestic, family and sexual violence policy. Mariam also volunteers as a co-facilitator for the community support group TransFemmeSA.
In 2023, Mariam was shortlisted as a finalist in the Premier’s Excellence Awards’ Emerging Young Talent category for furthering LGBTIQA+ inclusion within the SA Public Sector.
Odette Mazel (she/her)
Odette is a bi+ Senior Research Fellow with 20 years of experience at the intersections of law, health, research, and project management. She has worked extensively to develop evidence-based practices for systemic change, focusing on the rights and lived experiences of minority populations, including LGBTQIA+ communities and Indigenous peoples.
Her work draws on feminist, decolonial, and queer theories to explore the cultural, social, political, and legal avenues for advancing equity and justice. Odette has recently submitted her PhD through Melbourne Law School, titled Queer Jurisprudence: LGBTQIA+ Activism and Legal Reform in Australia, which highlights the queer sensibilities shaping activism and law reform projects.
Originally from Adelaide, Odette returned last year after living in Melbourne for over 25 years. Passionate about community organizing and improving the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people, she brings her expertise in research, project management, and evaluation to her role.
Odette lives with her partner and their two children aged 10 and 12. As the child of a lesbian parent, she has a lifelong connection to LGBTQIA+ advocacy and is excited to contribute to South Australia’s LGBTQIA+ community.
Syr Lumi Vor (he/him)
Syr is a polyamorous, bisexual, transmasculine non-binary advocate with extensive lived and professional experience fostering inclusion and equity in the workplace. He has developed policies and procedures, collaborated with stakeholders and executives, and facilitated data collection and reporting to drive meaningful change.
Syr has held several elected positions as a State Councillor for his union, where he advocated on diverse issues, including combating transphobia through LGBTIQA+ training initiatives. He is actively engaged in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion employee-led groups across SA Health and currently serves as the inaugural chair of the LGBTIQA+SB Resource Group in his department. His contributions include developing a Gender Affirming Transition in the Workplace policy, marking significant days with the communications team, and hosting events such as a Wear it Purple panel.
Passionate about government advocacy and community empowerment, Syr is committed to building on his work to benefit marginalized communities. He brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and a strong drive for equity to his role.
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representative - vacant
We value the wisdom of the Aboriginal peoples and are committed to amplifying their voices to address systemic racism and discrimination. Our Constitution reserves a Board position for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
If you would like to nominate for this position, please contact our Board Chair at chair@saraa.org.au.
Vale Ian Purcell AM
1947 - 2016
We honour Ian Purcell AM who dedicated his life to advancing the health and rights of LGBTIQA+ South Australians over may decades of activism.
Fondly known as the "Godfather of the Gay Community", Ian was the first Chairperson of the SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance.
He was founding member of the Uranian Society, a cultural forum for gay men, and the Gay and Lesbian Community Action lobby group, which was formed to counter political and social conservatism at the height of the AIDS epidemic.
He also represented the LGBTIQ+ community on various state government departmental committees, including the Ministerial Advisory Council on Gay and Lesbian Health and the SA Police Gay and Lesbian Liaison Committee.
In 2005 Ian Purcell became a Member of the Order of Australia for his advocacy.
His wisdom and humanity will be much missed.
We owe so much to Ian and we hope to honour him by continuing his work.
